Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

SANDBACH RAMBLERS vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 9^th December 1933

FIVE-STAR LATICS EASE TO COMFORTABLE COME-BACK WIN.

Robert Talbot recovered from the knock he suffered at Congleton and manager Charlie Spencer was able to name an unchanged Wigan Athletic side for their trip to Sandbach.

Sandbach Ramblers included the tricky winger Henry Newton, who was to sign for Manchester City for the then impressive sum of £200, in their ranks. It was the very same H. Newton who was to provide the first real scoring opportunity of the game when he sprinted into the Wigan box and Talbot who attempted to tackle was adjudged to have clipped the wingers heel as he prepared to shoot. James Percy NEWTON stepped up and planted the penalty firmly into the corner of the goal to give the home side a surprise lead.

Wigan had struggled to settle into their usual rhythm and Sandbach gained confidence from their early goal and looked lively throughout the early exchanges but that all changed in a two-minute spell that saw Latics grab the lead, courtesy of a quick-fire brace from Teddy Felton.

Snaith set the equalising move in motion when he fed Cowper on the flank. The right winger held off a challenge from Sproston before feeding a pass in to FELTON and the forward drilled in a low shot that Whitehead failed to hold and the ball squirmed from his grasp and over the goal-line. One minute later and the game had been turned on its head as FELTON was first to react to a poor defensive clearance by the home side and his low shot again found the net.

Wigan were now in full stride and it was no more than their efforts deserved when Snaith found Jones, who in turn crossed deep to the far post and COWPER lifted his shot over the keeper and into the roof of the net.

As half time approached the home side briefly rallied and only good defensive work from O’Dell and Robinson kept the lead intact. For the visitors Jones had a chance to add a fourth, but when faced with just the keeper to beat he fired tamely wide of goal.

Caunce was called upon to rush from his goal and clear an attempted through ball and then he had to save well from a rising drive by Gotsell.

Half Time; Sandbach Ramblers 1-3 Wigan Athletic.

As the second half began the home side threw everything into attack as they searched for a goal and after clever work on the left wing Gotsell skimmed the Wigan crossbar with a raking shot. The pressure was sustained and Gotsell again went close but Caunce did well to turn his low shot around a post. The resulting corner saw Hampson get his head to a well delivered ball and only a late goal line intervention by Robinson denied the hosts.

On 51 minutes Wigan took a firmer grip on proceedings as JONES latched onto a through ball from Felton and he calmly drew the keeper before slotting home.

With the game all but won Wigan appeared to sit back and concentrate on ensuring that their lead was not reduced. The home side continued to press but their efforts at goal were limited Newton had a first time shot that had to be saved by Caunce at the second attempt and then Gotsell flashed a header just wide of the goal.

Cowper had a good chance on the counter attack but he hesitated and that allowed Bert Sproston to get in a vital tackle and knock the ball behind for a corner kick that came to nothing.

Good work by Fraley and Latham allowed Newton to outpace Robinson and fire in a low effort that Caunce gathered well at his near post.

Wigan again stretched the home defence when Kavanagh produced a fine dribble into the box that appeared to only be ended by foul means but the referee waved play on and Latics were again frustrated.

The fifth and final Wigan goal arrived in the 75^th minute when Felton picked out Kavanagh with a cross-field ball and the Wigan man burst forward before slipping a neat pass to JONES who lashed his first time effort past the helpless Whitehead.

Wigan now had complete control of affairs and Jones had a number of chances to complete his hat-trick but Whitehead was alert to avoid any further concession.

Scott, with his pace and trickery on the wing proved a real threat throughout and had a late chance to get himself on the scoresheet but his well-struck rising effort skimmed the crossbar

Full Time; Congleton Town 1-5 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Felton (22), (23), Cowper (30), Jones (51), (75); J. Newton (6, pen)

Attendance;

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, Talbot; Kavanagh, Robson, O’Dell; Cowper, Felton, Jones, Snaith, Scott;

SANDBACH RAMBLERS--- Whitehead; Rathbone, Sproston; Hampson, Sproston, Warren; H. Newton, Gotsell, Fradley, J. Newton, Latham;

Referee; Mr. A. Barlow (Northwich).